Parents who have teens that are consistently acting out, won’t follow the rules, are engaging in delinquent behavior, running away from home, and other poor behaviors can feel impossible to raise. Some of these parents start searching for a "school for bad kids" as their children are expelled or in danger of being expelled.
In reality, there are no bad kids, just kids in desperate need of help. And at a boarding school for troubled teens, struggling kids can find the therapeutic help they need to break free of bad habits. Instead of seeking a so-called "bad kid school," parents can turn to schools specifically designed to address behavioral and emotional challenges.
Kids Aren’t Inherently Bad
As the parent trying to raise a teen that is acting out, it can be hard to think of your teenager as something other than a "bad kid." But if you think about it, you may find what began to trigger your teen’s descent into bad behavior.
For instance, say your family moved states after your teen’s freshman year of high school. Suddenly, all the people your teen went to school with, spent time with after school, and hung out with on weekends were so far away that they might as well not exist anymore. So, your teen tries to make new friends but struggles, as many other kids have already solidified friendships and social groups.
This structure can leave your teen on the outside, gravitating toward other teens on the fringe. To reduce their feelings of isolation, loneliness, and embarrassment at having no friends, your teen may engage in behaviors you never expected.
As you can see, this spiral is just one way your teen could have become caught up in dysfunctional behaviors. Unfortunately, just knowing what went wrong isn’t enough. Your teen will need further help in the form of immersive therapy provided at a school for kids with bad behavior or a therapeutic boarding school.
Therapeutic Schools Can Help Break Through Bad Habits
To help end the cycle of dysfunctional behavior, some troubled teens may require time away at a residential treatment center for troubled teens. These centers provide a more therapeutic and immersive environment than a traditional school for bad behavior.
At one of these therapeutic boarding schools, teens leave the environment that contributed to their negative behaviors. That change alone can help teens to start making positive changes, as they won’t face the same peer pressures. Instead, teens attending these schools have more supportive peers who are also trying to overcome their own struggles.
Another key feature of a therapeutic boarding school is the intensive focus on therapy. Attending teens work with a therapist one-on-one during the week and participate in group therapy sessions. In both individual and group settings, teens can explore the root issues behind their behavior. Family therapy is also available, enabling parents and siblings to address sensitive topics together, fostering healing for the entire family.
Alongside therapy, these schools emphasize self-improvement through education. At Sundance Canyon Academy, we provide a nationally accredited educational program with state-licensed teachers and tutors. That way, teens whose education has been disrupted by their behavior can recover academically and earn their high school diploma.
Sundance Canyon Academy Helps Bring Out The Good Kid You Remember
While raising a teen who continually acts out can feel overwhelming, it’s important to remember that much of their behavior stems from unresolved mental and emotional struggles. Attending a therapeutic boarding school like Sundance Canyon Academy can help teens overcome these challenges and rediscover their potential.
If you’ve been searching for "schools for bad behavior" or a "school for kids with bad behavior," consider exploring a therapeutic approach instead. Feel free to contact us to learn more about our program. Our team is happy to discuss your concerns and help you determine if our school is the right fit for your teen’s needs.